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“Our greatest commitment in life is to the horses entrusted in our care,” says Colin. “We have a duty to help them achieve whatever they possibly can but always keeping in mind they are at our mercy, THAT is a huge responsibility!”


they are at the same time. “We are very lucky,” Colin says, “because we have each other, we are like two yoyos. When one of us is up, the other is down and vice verses. That’s not very often but it happens.” SB: WHAT MAKES YOU CRY? Toni: When I can’t help a horse,


when you can’t save them. If a medi- cal problem comes along, or an ac- cident, the pain takes over and no matter how hard you try, it’s just not enough. It’s, at times, almost more than I can bear. Colin: Bullying upsets me in both people and horses. The injustice in the world is extremely sad, some of the situations in foreign countries that can’t be changed. People who are mean to the horses. SB: IF YOU HAD TO SO SOME- THING BESIDES THE HORSE BUSINESS, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Toni: I would travel and then come


home and have a restaurant with home baked goods and wholesome, hearty Kiwi food…and I’d have to have a fireplace! Colin: I would devote myself to help- ing the disadvantaged. SB: HOBBIES OR THINGS YOU


I get really caught up and passionate in the details and quality of function- ality and usability. I guess I would love to renovate and flip houses, I love to build things so that would be right up my alley. Toni: Marketing and sales are very in- teresting to me. I spent some time do- ing that for shows we put on, getting sponsors, organizing, schedules and planning them from top to bottom. SB: WHAT SHOULD NEVER BE


TAKEN FOR GRANTED? Toni: The love of this competi-


LOVE DOING? Colin: I love to design horse trailers.


tion, starting with the sheer joy of the horse. The thrill of the sport is won- derful but nothing replaces the com- panionship of the animal, horses are exceptional. Colin: Appreciation of what the hors- es give us and do for us in terms of honesty and forgiveness. To never forget the core value of what makes success. SB: ADVICE FOR THE NEXT


GENERATION? Toni: Stay honest and true to your-


self but have fun and be sure to laugh- mostly at yourself. “Turn up the music and DANCE!!” Colin: Have a plan!! Be prepared to do what others won’t do to have a good business, go the extra mile. Build a team around yourself and then nur- ture it! SB: WHAT WOULD SURPRISE US TO KNOW ABOUT YOU? Toni: I love to sing and probably


could have been a singer, if I didn’t love these horses so. But then again, I could have been a middle distance runner too, I really like to run. The main commonality of the two


is actually quite simple and impressive in its own right. They both reach out for the others hand and smile as this interview was wrapped up. “Our greatest commitment in life is


to the horses entrusted in our care,” says Colin. “We have a duty to help them achieve whatever they possibly can but always keeping in mind they are at our mercy, THAT is a huge re- sponsibility!” “And as instructors,” adds Toni, “we


have a responsibility to help kids and young people be successful. With the role we play in their lives, we need to treasure the impact we have in their future. That’s a big load to carry and I hope we carry it well!”


Top to Bottom: Toni and Selim at Woodside; Toni, Colin and Kate at Championships; Tom, Colin and Kelsey at Woodside; Toni and Colin having fun on the road.


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